Criminal Specialization as a Corollary of Rational Choice

Abstract

Organized criminal groups can be modeled using rational choice theory. Criminal groups act as profit seeking enterprises, and the ability to shift the economic returns away from this activity results in a lower amount of crime. Criminal behavior does not need to rely on social deviance, but is moving towards the greatest financial rewards. As a consequence, as criminal groups face few financial disincentives, a growing class of criminal specialists has resulted. The course of action to best minimize the online criminal threat can be linked to minimization of economic returns from cybercrime.